Chapter 27: Princess Mia...Pumps Her Arms

When Shalloak Cornrogue began to fall, the first to her feet was Tatiana. She rushed to his side, trying and failing to support his large frame. He collapsed, taking her with him, but even as they toppled, she made sure to place her arms between the ground and his head. Then, she crawled out from under him and tilted his head to keep his airway open. What followed next was a series of brisk commands to those around her, instructing them to help with first aid. The speed and confidence with which she’d acted left Mia staring in gaping-mouthed awe.

The abruptness of the development didn’t help either. Mia had backed Shalloak into a corner, ready to deliver a brilliant coup de grâce to his reputation. The last thing she’d expected was to go for her opponent’s jugular, only to have him collapse before tasting blood. As she watched four men struggle in concert to carry him away, she turned to Tatiana.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?”

“Oh, um, probably... I think it’s a transient attack. His breathing has steadied, so as long as he gets some rest...”

“An attack? Is it some sort of illness?”

“We won’t know whether it’s an illness without an examination. I’ve heard about this kind of attack, though. Apparently, there was a wealthy noble in some kingdom who died after experiencing something very similar. They ate a lot of rich foods, stayed indoors all the time, and didn’t exercise at all.” Tatiana frowned and folded her arms. “In other words, eating too much and not exercising enough leads to this kind of illness.”

Mia listened intently while subconsciously stroking her tummy.

Eating too much...and not exercising enough?

“Fortunately, it’s not too late yet. I, um... May I be excused, Your Highness? I’d like to check on Master Shalloak.”

“Huh? Oh, sure,” said Mia, snapping back to attention. “You’d want to see how he’s doing, of course. Go ahead.” She hastily nodded, then palpated her belly once more. “Hmm... Say, where is the treatment room they took Shalloak to? Ah, it’s in the castle but a little far from here. Hm, hm, I see... How convenient. Yes, check on him indeed...” She kept nodding, but the gesture now turned pensive. “In that case, I’ll go with you, Tatiana.”

“Huh? You will? Why?”

Tatiana stared in surprise at Mia, who quickly angled her body to hide her stomach from the girl’s innocent but curious gaze.

“Why? Well... How should I put this...?”

Telling the truth was not an option. She wasn’t about to admit to developing a sudden interest in before-bedtime exercise. Her sense of pride wouldn’t let her. Withholding this, however, meant she had no justification to check on Shalloak. There was nothing she could do for him there, not to mention their rivalry. She had no obligation to visit. Unless she had a very good reason, common sense dictated that she was expected to remain here and continue the discussion with Yuhal. After some brow furrowing and lip pursing, she voiced her reason.

“It’s because...Shalloak is weakening.”

That’s right. Great General Mia knew that there was no place for mercy in war. Every opening the enemy exposed should be pounced on and exploited for all its worth. Currently, Shalloak was in a weak position. Therefore, now was the time to finish him off for good, ensuring he’d never pose a threat to the empire again.

It was definitely not because she wanted to exercise. No, this was Mia walking resolutely toward her final showdown! It was what she told herself anyway.

“Which means...” She smiled at her secret weapon. “It looks like it’s your time to shine at last, Tatiana.”

This was why she’d brought the girl along—as the final nail in Shalloak’s coffin—and it was time to hammer her in. Mia would brandish her before him and declare, “Behold, Shalloak, for her existence puts the lie to your claims! You have no right calling yourself a ruthlessly rational merchant. You’re nothing but a mundane human being with all the weakness, sentimentality, and compassion of normal people.”

This dramatic flourish would require Tatiana’s cooperation, so to ensure she wouldn’t get cold feet, Mia looked her in the eyes and said, “I’m counting on you, Tatiana. Make me proud.”

“Your Highness...”

Hearing Mia’s words, Tatiana felt like a missing piece of a puzzle finally fell into place. Everything Mia had said to her so far... It all made sense now.

She saw Master Shalloak’s weakening health and wanted to wish him well in person!

Judging by their prior exchange, it was clear that Mia and Shalloak did not exactly see eye to eye. Rather, they looked very much like enemies. Tatiana had therefore expected Mia to use her as a weapon against him. But that wasn’t the case.

Her Highness is trying to save Master Shalloak!

What had been numerous disconnected events suddenly joined into a single whole, revealing a full, interconnected pattern. Back at Crolio Pond, Mia had said that she appreciated Tatiana’s willingness to give admonishment when necessary. She’d commended her frankness. Then, she’d told Tatiana to go to her if she ever ran into trouble. It was now clear to Tatiana that Mia had been encouraging her, trying to push her forward.

More of Mia’s words began echoing in her mind. She’d said that it would all depend on how Shalloak chose to act. How prescient she’d been! She was clearly referring to this exact eventuality. Mia had known all along that Shalloak’s health would suffer if he didn’t change his dietary habits. That was why she brought Tatiana along—to give the necessary admonishment and persuade him to lead a healthier life.

And that’s not all. I think she might be trying to help Master Shalloak remember...

Mia’s goal was twofold. Through Tatiana, she wished to warn him about his health and preserve his life. In the process, she was hoping that he’d remember the wonderful things he’d done in the past. Health of body and health of mind. She wanted to restore both to him.

Tatiana couldn’t help but feel she’d happened upon Mia’s true intentions.

On the surface, she says it all depends on how he chooses to act, but behind the scenes...she’s doing everything she can to save Master Shalloak from self-destruction and bring him back onto the correct path forward.

This approach, it occurred to her, had much in common with the practice of medicine. Whether Shalloak chooses a life of moderation was certainly up to him. The quality of his health and the length of his life were ultimately dependent on the choices he made.

“But choices can be influenced.”

There was no need or reason to simply give up. Those unwilling to listen could still be told and told again. With enough time, one day, they might finally be persuaded. Not necessarily because they were moved by the display of dogged earnestness, but simply because they were sick and tired of hearing the same nagging advice and comply just to get it to stop.

It all depends on Master Shalloak... At first, Her Highness’s words sound cold and uncaring...

But now, Tatiana felt a deep gratitude. She wanted to thank Mia from the bottom of her heart...for bringing her here to this critical crossroads and giving her a chance to save Shalloak Cornrogue, the man who’d changed her life!

“All right, Your Highness. Let’s go.”

When she looked toward Mia, she found her pumping her arms for some reason. It was curiously similar to the motion frequently practiced by the other young girl following her, Bel, and there was something strangely...exercise-y about it.